While the French were already apparently celebrating places one and two and Tarjei pushed his brother Johannes off the podium, Alexander Loginovcame with number 43, whom apparently none of his competitors really had been on the bill. The Russian had already been one of the best in the mixed relay, he now seems to be in top shape like in December - but there wasn't more than second place in Hochfilzen possible at that time. Today the Russian won his first gold medal at World Championships or Olympic Games. Aware of his good position, he took full risk on his second shooting, shot very quickly - and hit all targets.
Johannes Thingnes Bø (NOR, Fischer ***) started with number 3 incredibly quickly into his race in order to put pressure on his competitors who would start later: Even before the first shooting, he had a penalty loop advantage over many other top athletes, and he promptly missed a target. Although he scored flawlessly afterwards, he was no longer able to convince in skiing as usual in the second and third lap, so that he ended up only fifth. "I accelerated too much in the first lap, I didn't have the energies in the end", he admitted. After the second shooting, Quentin Fillon Maillet took the lead just before Bø. After a sensational final lap, the Frenchman was 17 seconds ahead of the Norwegian - and later 6.5 seconds behind the victorious Russian. Tarjei Bø (NOR, Fischer ***) finished fourth ahead of his brother. Philipp Horn (GER, Fischer ***) finished eighth and realized his second best World Cup result ahead of Felix Leitner (AUT, Fischer ***), who also just missed his best result.
* = Fischer skis
** = Fischer skis and bindings
*** = Fischer skis, bindings and boots
